San Pedro

ARTICLES ABOUT SAN PEDRO BY DATE - PAGE 5

Reverend Brian D. Mahedy, C.P., a Passionist priest for 69 years and a Naval Commander who served in WWII. Ordained in 1927, Father Mahedy preached Parish Missions and served as Chaplain in Naval hospitals, aboard ship and at Naval installations from Guam to Memphis to San Diego. From 1969 to 1991, Father was Chaplain for hospitals in San Francisco, San Pedro and Long Beach, CA. Since 1992, Father has been stationed at Daneo Hall, the Passionist retirement center in Chicago. Father Mahedy was preceded in death by his parents and eight brothers and sisters.

The coach who turned U.S. figure skater Angela Nikodinov from a perennial underachiever to a member of the world elite died of complications from pancreatic cancer Monday in Moscow. Elena Tcherkasskaia, 64, who spent 22 years as a dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet, had energized Nikodinov's career in less than a year as the skater's primary coach. Nikodinov, 21, of San Pedro, Calif., finished a strong fifth in this year's world championships after also-ran performances at the two previous world meets.

Clara B. Votava, nee Belskey, age 95, of Wheaton, formerly of Cicero, IL and San Pedro, CA, beloved wife of the late Jack; dear sister of the late George and Edward Belskey; fond aunt of several nieces and nephews. Visitation Wednesday, November 14, 2001, at Svec & Sons Funeral Home, 6227 W. Cermak Rd., Berwyn, from 10 a.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. Interment Woodlawn. Member of Lawndale Chapter #749, now Bohemia Chapter #763 O.E.S. (Star Service) Wednesday, 1 p.m. 708-484-2050 or 773-242-2027.

Home-schooled state-breds ruled the day at the Phil Georgeff Illinois Festival of Racing on Saturday at Hawthorne Race Course. Two strong-looking horses returned to their roots and were heavily backed in their respective stakes, but the locals ran them out of the money. Sniffy was bet down to 6-5 favoritism in the $75,000 Powerless Stakes, but the hot Keeneland claiming runner didn't get a sniff. The sixth-place finisher was left in the wake of upset winner Capitol View, posting a 21/4-length win despite making her first start since June.

Agnes B. Monahan, 93, who taught primary grades in Chicago public schools for 40 years, died Saturday, April 21, of respiratory failure in San Pedro Peninsula Hospital Pavilion, San Pedro, Calif. Born in Chicago to Irish immigrants, Mrs. Monahan lived on Chicago's Southwest and Southeast Sides for more than 80 years. She graduated from Chicago Normal Teachers College in 1929 and began substitute teaching until her first assignment in 1933 at Oakland School. She also married that year.

Last autumn, full-time wanderer and part-time San Francisco waitress Louise Tucker traveled to India with boyfriend James Fisk. Landing in New Delhi, they decided to take a day tour of the huge, bewildering capital. At a travel agency near their hotel, they asked pointedly for a tour in English. "We knew something was wrong when we got on the bus and it was full of Indian tourists," Louise said. "The tour was completely in Hindi. I kept waiting for the English translation whenever the tour guide spoke.

Veta M. Kirk, 78, formerly of San Pedro, Calif., died Thursday in her Wheaton home. Born in Duncan, Okla., Mrs. Kirk was a secretary for U.S. officials who investigated World War II war crimes. She later headed the records department of the Public Health Service in San Pedro. Survivors include a daughter, Sarita Baddorf; two sisters, Frances Kriss and Vera Cary; and two grandchildren. Services were held Sunday.

Dear Ann Landers: My jaw dropped when I read the letter from the woman who had been married for 14 years to a man who had shown no interest in sex since the day they married. That letter could have been written by me. You told the woman she had a "clinker in her thinker" for staying with him. My comment is, "Well, maybe yes and maybe no." Where I come from, marriage means a lot more than just sex. I was taught that marriage is forever. Also, it defines one's social status, not to mention one's income bracket.